Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-09

robbers, who were lurking on the ridge. he
was wounded in the leg. Luckily he was
picked up by his friend, who was coming to
meet him, and brought here as the nearest
place. He's upstairs in the spare bed i'll the
spare room, with his friend, who won't leave
his side. He won't even have mother i'll the
room. They've stopped the bleeding with
Johns ambulance things, and now, Kate,
here's chance for you to show the value OF
your education in the ambulance class. The
ball has got to be extracted. Here's your op-
portunity."
Kate looked at her sister curiously. There
was a faint pink flush on her pale cheeks, and
her eyes were gently sparkling. She had
never seen her look so pretty before.
@Why not have sent Manuel for doctor at
once" asked Kate.
sThe nearest doctor is fifteen miles away,
and Manuel is nowhere to bo found. Per-
haps he's gone to look after the stock. There's
some talk Of snow; imagine the absurdity
of it,"
"But who are theys"
"They speak of themselves. as friends as
if it were profession. The wounded one
was passenger, suppose"
aBut what are they likes" continued Kate.
u suppose they're like them ALL"
Mrs. Hale shrugged her shoulders
1.-THE wounded one, when he's not fainting
away, is laughing. The other is creature
with mustache, and gloomy beyond ex-
preston"
sWhat are you going to do with them9"
said Kate.
"What should doc Even without Johns
letter could not refuse the shelter Of my
house to wounded and helpless man. 1
shall keep him, of course, until John comes.
Why, Kate, really believe you are so pre-
JUDGED against these people you'd like to
turn them out. But forget! It's because
you like them so we'll. Well, you need not
fear to expose yourself to the destinations of
the wounded Christy Minstrel-I'm snre he's
that-or to the unspeakable one, who is shy
ness itself, and would not dare to raise his
eyes to you"
There was timid, hesitating step in the
passage. tpaused before the door, moved
away, returned, and finally asserted its in
tentions in the gentlest Of taps.
"It's him; I'm sure of it." said Mrs. Hale,
with suppressed smile.
Kate threw open the door smartly, to the
extreme discontinue Of tall, dark figure
that already had skunk away from it. For
all that he was good looking enough fel-
low, with mustache as long and almost as
flexible as q ringlet. Kate could not help
noticing also that his hand, which was ner-
vously pulling the mustache, was white and
thin.
Excuse me" he stammered, without rails
ing his eyes, II was looking for-for-the old
lady. II beg your pardon. didn't know
that you-the young ladies-company-were
here. intended-I only wanted to say that
my friend" He stopped at the slight
smile that passed quickly over Mrs. Hale's
mouth and his pale face reddened with an
angry flush.
u hope he is not worse" said Mrs. Hale,
with more than her usual languid gentle
ness "My mother is not here ut present.
Can lean ,oe-this is my sister-do as well!"
Without looking up he made a constrained
recognition of Kate's presence, that, embar-
raised and curt as it was, had none of the
awkwardness Of rusticity.
SThank you; you're very kind. But my
friend is little stronger, and if you can lend
me an extra horse III try to get him on the
Summit tonight"
but you surely will not take him away
from us so soon?" said Mrs. Hale, with a
languid look Of alarm, in which Kate, how
ever, detected a certain real feeling "Wait
at least until my husband returns to-mor-
row."
"He won't be here tomorrow" said the
stranger hastily. He stopped, and as quickly
corrected himself. "That is, his business is
so very uncertain, my friend says"
Only Kats noticed the slip; but she noticed
also that her sister was apparently uncon-
scious of it "You Think" she said, "that
Mr.. Hale may be delayed|
He turned upon her almost brusque y. II
mean that it is already showing up there"
he pointed through the window to the cloud
Kate had noticed; "if it comes down lower
in the pass the roads will be blocked up.
That is why it would be better for us to try
and get ON at once"
"But if Mr.. Hale is likely to be stopped by
snow so are you," said Mrs. Hale playfully;
sand you had better let US try to make your
friend comfortable here rather than expose
him to that uncertainty in his weak con-
dition. We will do our best for him.
My sister is dying for an opportunity to
show her skill in surgery" she continued,
with all unexpected mischievousness that only
added to kate's surprised embarrassment.
"Aren't you, kates"
Equivocal as the young girl knew her
silence appeared, she was unable to utter the
simplest polite evasion Some unaccountable
impulse kept her constrained and speeches.
The stranger did not, however, wait for her
reply, but, casting swift, hurried glance
must go. In fact, I've already taken the lib
erty to order the horses round. They are at
the door now. You may be certain" he
added with quick earnestness, suddenly lift
ing his dark eyes to Mrs Hale, and as rapidly
withdrawing them, "that your horse will be
returned at once, and-and-we won't forget
your kindness" He stopped and turned to-
ward the hall. "I-I have brought my
friend down stairs. He wants to thank you
before he goes"
As he remained standing i'll the hall the
two women stepped to the door. To their
surprise, half reclining on a cane sofa, was
the wounded man, and what could be seen of
his slight figure was wrapped in dark
serape His beardless face gave him quaint
boyishncss cutie Inconsistent with the mature